Everybody loves freebies, right? Er…it’s complicated.

During my 20 years of mainstream media journalism, I worked scrupulously to show that I was beyond reproach. I refused to let sources buy me coffee. I registered as an independent voter (at least until I moved to Pennsylvania and wanted to vote in the primaries). I never gave to political parties or charities that could be considered controversial.

And I never accepted a comped hotel room. Or used my position for an advantage. Sure, there were times when I was tempted, when I knew the slightest hint that I was with the travel media could make my on-the-road life run a little smoother. But I was taught NEVER to play that “do you know who I am?” game. It makes you look bad, for one. And it keeps you from experiencing the same glitches that a regular reader might encounter when traveling.  

Now I’m on my own, without a corporate credit card.  While I do accept press trips and gear and books to review, here’s my new pledge to readers and editors:

- I will always follow the ethical guidelines of whatever publication is purchasing my work. Many newspapers will not buy travel stories from press trips. That’s fine. I don’t want to do anything that will make them – or myself – be portrayed in a negative light. O

- I will disclose when outside entities pay for my travel, either in the body of the text or at the end of an article. This is how I personally choose to interpret the FTC rules.    

- I will accept travel and freebies only when they coincide with my own editorial goals. I want to continue providing the same news-based content that I wrote and assigned in USA TODAY’s travel department. So if I’m going to, say, St. Kitts or Honduras, rest assured that there’s a story there that I want to write.

- I will strive to keep my voice strong and my opinions honest – so readers can continue to believe my writing. Because without that? I’m nothing.